Posts from 2022 (Page 22)
“624,730”
DISCUSSION In Numbers 26-27, we see why it was called “numbers”. Chapter 27 is a detailed census that was taken by Moses, Aaron and Eleazar of all the sons of Israel that were 20 years old and older. When you begin to add up these people, you get 624,730. That may not seem like a whole lot of people to you, so look at it this way. According to 2015 census,…
“What God is Not”
DISCUSSION When one begins to reflect on just how magnificent God is, it is easy to get so caught up in what He is that we forget what He is not as well. In Balaam’s discourse to Balak, he reminds us of something so simple that we tend to forget. He said, “God is not a man…” (Numbers 23.19). Those words should offer us a great deal of comfort. How…
“Have You Ever Lost Your Temper?”
DISCUSSION Losing my temper has always been one of my short comings. In the heat of the moment, I tend to scream, make exaggerations and stomp my way into proving a point. I’m not saying it is right, but at least I do feel a little better knowing that I am in good company with the leader of the nation of Israel; Moses. It must have been very frustrating for Moses to…
“The Budding of Aaron’s Rod”
DISCUSSION As a young Bible student in Sunday school, I was always intrigued by the Ark of the Covenant. Sadly, it may have been due to my fascination with Indiana Jones and the film “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. Regardless of why I was intrigued, I never really understood one of the items that was to be placed inside the Ark. You may remember that inside the Ark of the Covenant there…
“The Song of Moses”
BIBLE READING: Numbers 14-15; Psalm 90 DISCUSSION The book of Psalms is simply a collection of songs that were penned primarily by David. However, the reading today has the unique designation to be attributed to Moses. This song was written as a lament of how the children of Israel had failed in the first quest of Canaan because of their lack of faith (the reading for the day in Numbers. …
“Kindling the Anger of the Lord”
DISCUSSION Why do we generally think that the grass is always greener on the other side? In Numbers 11-13, the Israelites should have things pretty much going their way; they are getting close to the Promise Land, they are enjoying manna every morning and they know that God is on their side. However, contentment has never been one of their strong points. They have begun to grow tired of the manna and now…
“Should’ve, Would’ve, Could’ve”
DISCUSSION Do you have any regrets? Maybe you had an offer to do something, buy something or invest into something; when in the moment you say no, but wished you would’ve said yes? I wonder if that is how Hobab must have felt? Hobab was the son of Reuel the Midianite, making him Moses’ brother-in-law. When the nation of Israel was making their final preparations for leaving Mount Sinai, on their…
“Bringing Your Offering”
DISCUSSION Numbers 7 is second, only to Psalm 119, in the longest chapter category. Within these 89 verses we have a lengthy description of the dedication of the Tabernacle. During this festival, each tribe was responsible for bringing an offering for use in the Tabernacle. There were 12 tribes, so the festival lasted 12 days. The offerings were given to the Tabernacle, but in essence they were given to God. They…
“PROTECTING AGAINST OUTSIDERS”
DISCUSSION In Numbers 3-4, Moses, Aaron and Aaron’s sons were to camp on the east of the tent of meeting to guard the sanctuary. If an outsider came near to the sanctuary they were put to death (Numbers 3.38-39). Why would God want the stranger to be put to death? Because not only would the stranger be a threat to spy out or take advantage of camp, they were also seen as…
”Which Way Are You Facing?”
DISCUSSION Billy loved the game of basketball, so when he heard that his elementary school was organizing a youth league he was all in. It didn’t take long before Billy became one of, if not the best basketball players in his class. When it came time for his first game, he could hardly control his excitement. As the game began, the ball was tipped into the air…
”The Use of Vows”
DISCUSSION Facing death, even hardened atheists are known to pray. Throughout human history, when men have found themselves in dire straits they have prayed for deliverance and made vows to God, promising to do something for God if He rescued them. The Old Testament gives a number of examples of men making vows in such circumstances. Jacob, fleeing from his brother, offered to tithe his goods if God brought him home safely (Genesis 28:20ff). …
”Return Every Man His Possession”
DISCUSSION This took place during the year of Jubilee. Every 50th year all land was given back to its original owner. If a man had to sell his land or himself to pay debts, all was returned at the year of Jubilee. Every Israelite would be returned to his ancestral lands which belonged to his forebears. God was the actual owner of all the land, and any Israelite in possession of it was…